Travel Guide To Ooty

Usually referred to as the Queen of hill stations, Ooty (Udhagamandalam) is a picturesque little town amidst serene lakes, lofty mountains, and sprawling grasslands. It is situated at an altitude of 2,240 meters above sea level and has abundant vegetation and tea gardens. A huge number of tourists are attracted to the annual Tea and Tourism Festival which takes place here every year. Ooty (Udhagamandalam) (Udhagamandalam) is nurtured in the Nilgiris or the 'Blue Mountains', it is a spellbinding little hill station in Tamil Nadu. As a highlight of Ooty (Udhagamandalam) tourism, it has pleasant weather all year round that makes it a perfect getaway destination in the summer. The lush green tea plantations and dense forests offer stunning vistas. South India’s most famous hill station was a realm of tribal people and shola forests till the British annexed the Nilgiris in 1799 and John Sullivan, Collector of Coimbatore, made the first stone house here in 1823. Ooty has been an all time favourite location of Bollywood. Remember the song ‘Chaiyya Chaiyya’ from the movie Dil Se? Yes, those are the Ooty railway tracks with an alluring backdrop, where you see Shahrukh Khan dancing off with Malaika. Many blockbusters have been shot here, like Saajan, Raja Hindustani, Andaz Apna Apna, Raaz, and Maine Pyar Kia, to name a few. Over the years, Ooty- hardly ever called by its original name, Udhagamandalam- took its place as a Nilgiris tea-plantation hot spot. It served as the summer headquarters of the sahibs who ruled from Madras and got its own churches, bungalows and picnic spots. Much of which now makes it one of the most popular holiday destinations in India. During the holiday season, Ooty can be extremely crowded. But the secret to getting the best out of this ‘Queen of the Nilgiris’ is: spend time in the periphery of the town and visit it during the off-season. You will get a heady cocktail of rolling hills, tea plantations, villages, unbridled greenery, unexpected lakes. In the off season - when every comfort is still on offer and an umbrella and a change of socks can see you through much - look out for sharp fragrance of ghostly pines lining misty roads. The sun lighting up a hill even as the one beside it remains shrouded in dark velvet; ponies chomping grass by the kerb; acacias in full bloom; the bright gold of witches’ broom dotting every hill; the aroma of hot filter coffee and even hotter sambhar. The exhilarating train journey commencing from Kallar to Coonoor is a marvellous experience and is extremely popular among tourists. Ooty tourism helps you to experience the pristine beauty of the place and the calm that it offers. The scenic destination is actually a fantastic option if you are planning a trip to a place cradled in the lap of nature. A land filled with picturesque hot spots for picnics, Ooty (Udhagamandalam) is often the best option for anyone looking forward to long summer vacation or a weekend getaway.

Ooty’s reputation as a honeymoon spot is well-known and well-deserved, what with the blue Nilgiris in the distance and the eucalyptus forests dotting lush green pastures providing the perfect romantic setting. But not many know that Ooty is also a great place for outdoor activities. Surprised? Here’s our guide to the top things to do in Ooty for those with an adventurous spirit: TrekkingMake your Ooty holiday an adventure with treksThe Nilgiris have been labelled one of the 14 biodiversity hotspots of the world. It is only natural, therefore, that trekking across the trails of Ooty is one of the top things to do in Ooty, replete with visual treats. Several land routes are available, varying in terms of distance, terrain, altitude and difficulty. Wildlife enthusiasts will find plenty of work for their cameras, thanks to the abundance of Nilgiri langurs, the tahr or gaur, and the macaque. The guides are well-versed in the region and will keep you engaged with interesting tidbits about the trail. AnglingWith the number of lakes in and around Ooty, it is only natural that game-fishing would be a popular pastime here. Start by acquiring a fishing license from the Fisheries Department near the Ooty bus stand. They will even provide you with useful information about fishing spots in the region, along with the kind of equipment you might need. Goad trout and carp are some of the popular options here, especially at Pykara Lake. Take a guide along if this is your first time and you’ll learn the basics of angling in no time. Horse Riding Enjoy horseback riding, one of the easiest and fun outdoor activitiesHorse riding is another great way to explore the region, and ranks high on our list of top things to do in Ooty. North Lake is one of the starting points for the horse trails, from where you can venture up the hillsides or wander the many grasslands in the surroundings. Quite a few hotels and tour organizers provide guided horse tours in tea plantations and race courses. Of course, if you are a beginner at horseback riding, we recommend you give racing a backseat until you get the hang of things! Hang GlidingIf you’re looking for adventure, nothing beats hang gliding as one of the best things to do in Ooty. Venture about twenty kilometers from Ooty to Kalahatty and you’ll reach the famous hang-gliding point. The Tamil Nadu Tourism department offers hang gliding courses from March to May, so if you want to hone your aerial skills, plan your visit between this period. Mountain Biking Mountain biking in the famous blue Nilgiris is an adventure in itselfMountain biking is another excellent adventure sport offered in Ooty, with a special park dedicated to the activity. The bumpy trails are perfect to wheel along, and the minimal fee of Rs. 10 per lap means it’s one of the most cost-effective things to do you’ll chance upon in the area.Drinking tea and riding toy trains isn’t all there is to Ooty. With a buffet of adventure activities to choose from, we can assure you that your visit to the Queen of the Hills will be nothing short of exhilarating.

Culture of a place is a reflection of its society. The culture of Ooty is fascinating and captivating. It tells us about the people of the place, their lifestyle and their beliefs. Observing the culture of Ooty gives you a fair idea about the traditions and practices that are still followed by the locals. The festivals, the events, the attractions, all reflect the culture of Ooty in one way or the other. Tourism has picked up in the last decade or so and the local people are generally quite friendly towards the tourists. Come and be mesmerized by the intoxicating culture of Ooty.

Nightlife is all about enjoying and having a good time while the sun goes off to sleep! Nightlife in Ooty is full of vigor and energy. Young and old, rich and not so rich, everyone comes together to have a taste of the thrilling nightlife of Ooty. Enjoy a few drinks at one of the numerous bars or clubs in Ooty. Feel like dancing? Enjoy a night of stimulating dances at one of the discotheques of Ooty. While not a Paris or New York, the nightlife in Ooty is top notch! Alternative for places with little or no nightlife: There’s not much to do at night in Ooty. Nightlife in Ooty mainly consists of a few small bars. You can go for a drink or two at the bars and enjoy a good snack. After a good tiring day of activities, nightlife in Ooty mainly consists of sleeping comfortably in your bed!

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Ooty Nilgiris

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Come visit us and check out our lovely cottage that is ideal to sleep a family of six (6) adults. Its rented as a complete unit with three independent quaint comfy rooms. Each room is personally decorated and has hotel standard bedding and linen.